a visit to the veterinarian

I am posting about that little red dog, again. A bit odd I know, since it's two in a row now mentioning my somewhat estranged pup Rigby. But, it is my most recent bit of news to report on this eve of the new year. (Happy new year's eve everyone!)

So, we took Rigby to the Vet- she was due for quite a few of her shots... but this visit we also learned that she may, perhaps, have all kinds of allergies and skin issues. The long and short of it is that Rigby is now on a special diet. She is restricted to eating this hypo-allergenic, pure, no additives or fillers kind of food.

When we left the Vet (after Ben reminded me that this Vet visit cost him his Wii, to which I then made the point that this visit did not take the place of "his" Wii since we were not planning to buy one anyway) he also made the point that this dog now has a picky diet just like his owner, yours truly. Yes, it's true my dog and I both kind of like to stick to a somewhat additive and preservative free diet. I like to think I am preventing cancer, or something, and Rigby hopes it will clear up her allergies. We're weird, so what. I guess it runs in the family...

and so, this is christmas

Merry Christmas! I love love love this day- for many reasons. I love Christmas for the chance to share gifts with those you love and to spend time with fun little cousins who love looking forward to Santa.

But mostly I love that Christmas is, of course, about the birth of our Savior Jesus.

I can't imagine what joy and yet what fear Mary and Joseph felt some 2000 Decembers ago. I love this part of the Christmas story in Luke 2:

"When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Today we celebrated Christmas with family... and a few puppies. My dear friend entrusted her dog to us this holiday season while she visits family in Colorado. So, her new baby puppy, appropriately named "Babies" spent his first Christmas with us.

I also love Christmas trees. I wish I had one in my house all year. This is one of my favorite Christmas ornaments because it is pretty antique. I just think it's neat, and I thought it was special because I really thought it was my grandmother's-- until today when my aunt said she really has no idea where that ornament came from. Oh well, I will put it on my tree each year and fondly remember my g-ma anyway.Ben played outside with Babies since we experienced surprisingly warm weather today. He loved it, and later, while visiting Ben's parent's he played outside with their dog, Bert. Needless to say, an active morning.When we got to my aunt's house for Christmas dinner I got to spend time with my puppy, Rigby. I love her, a lot... but she boards pretty permanently here at my aunt's home. She just celebrated her 8th birthday this month, and her little red face is turning gray. Sweet girl...By the end of the evening, Babies and Rigby were both pretty tuckered out. A busy Christmas. And since none were taken last year, I made Ben take a Christmas photo with me. Merry Christmas to all. (and to all, a good night).

the icicle twist

Our staff Christmas party this year was a bit different... we decided to do one of those Murder Mystery Parties called "Icicle Twist". (Oooh, I am sure you are shivering in suspense). I have never done one of these, so all I knew is that I was going to be assigned a "character" whom I was to act like the entire night. I also knew that one person in our group would be the killer-- just like a big live game of Clue. It was really a good time- and I was assigned to be Chief Surgeon Laura Maitland, M.D. I was pretty excited to move up the corporate ladder and suddenly become a doctor. Ben on the other hand, was assigned to be a slightly special young child with a lisp. Oh well. Here we are at the staff Christmas party '08. Needless to say, we went through the night accusing one another and trying to figure out who the "murderer" was. Here I am, probably warding off some one's terrible assumption that I, Laura Maitland, M.D. would actually kill someone (with an icicle in the neck, nonetheless!)

Unfortunately for me, I was the killer. I couldn't believe it, I went to this thing thinking I would just play along and enjoy my dinner. But no, instead I opened my booklet that explained my character more in depth and it said things like "You like long walks on the beach, you are left handed, oh and also, you are the murderer." Oops. That's okay, it was still fun, and it felt kinda good knowing that everyone else was puzzled by this little game. Not me, I knew who did it from the start.

Also, if you are reading this and on your bookshelf somewhere you have the Icicle Twist version of how to host a murder mystery party... I am so sorry- I think I just gave it away, it's Laura Maitland- she did it.

jesus is on his way...

I have only just begun Christmas shopping. I'm not really sure why I always wait until the last minute... but I just do. I got a few gifts on Friday only due to the help and guidance of sweet Kaley. Today I am thinking I should get a few more done--but it just seems to scary to venture out there to the mall or where ever. Anyway, shopping has not seemed stressful to me at all, until now, I admit, now I feel a little stress. And I don't like being stressed about Christmas, I LOVE Christmas.

I remembered that I had taken a small really poor quality "video" of Val's concert a few weeks ago. This is just a snippet of her band performing a song that Val wrote with the help of an old favorite Christmas tune in there. I just love it. The video is just blackness, so you can really only listen, and even then you can hear people talking in the background and it's not great quality (so I hope she's not too mad I am posting this awesome clip). But, if you can get through all of that, I think this song is just beautiful- and it reminded me today that I don't need to be stressed.

p.s. find val nebbia here and here.

the hap-happiest season of all...

We decorated Christmas cookies tonight! How fun! I love Christmas and cookies, so what better a combination. My husband invited some wonderful friends over (it is also coincidentally my birthday) and we just went to town with sugar cookies, sugary icing, and sugar sprinkles. mmm... And yes, that tree you see is a 3-dimensional masterpiece by Beth. And I think maybe Val's snowman is wearing argyle.

I love cookies & friends.

the rockettes

i. love. my. husband. & I love the Rockettes. And this weekend as an early birthday present he took me to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular! It was fabulous. I can't really explain why I love them so much, why this gift is perhaps one of the best ever... I am just mezmerized by how good the Rockettes are, and I also have this slight affinity for New York because my entire family calls that great state their old stompin' grounds. All 24 of them are just so good- all 48 legs do the same thing at the very same time.

Maybe I also love them because I kind of want to be a Rockette. No, I never danced, not even one ballet class. But I think I wanted to. I was always just too tall and awkward. In fact, in 7th grade my middle school put on a play and there was a small tap dancing routine. I said that I kind of knew how to tap, so I showed up to the first practice. I thought surely my desire to be a dancer would enable me to pick up the moves and join right in. Wrong. I was very incapable and humbly bowed out of that sticky little mess. Call me a liar... but I say I was only a dreamer.

Anyway, for now I am just so thankful for the talent of others so that I can sit back and enjoy. It really was so good. I didn't take a lot of pictures, no time to even blink, I had to watch intently. But here they are!

And at the end of the performance they did this beautiful Nativity scene and sang some Christmas Hymns. It was amazing and complete with a live donkey, camel and sheep. Honest! Here I am, the dancing queen, with my husband... I am very thankful for my birthday present and our day in Baltimore.

happy birthday to kaley!

Today is Kaley's b-day- and everyone loves a birthday! This birthday was especially special because it was celebrated with friends and a festive banner. My good friend Jen bought this banner at the dollar tree a while back, and many a birthday girl and boy have celebrated with it. This "Happy Birthday" sign is so special because if you look really closely, the dollar store made one tiny error in the word "Birthday"...Yup, that's a B. Happy Birthbay Kaley! I think you are wonderful!